Hydrangea serrata Grayswood - Mountain Hydrangea

Hydrangea serrata 'Grayswood' is a bush with dark green dentate leaves and pure white flowers that turn carmine pink then burgundy at the end of the season.

Hydrangea serrata 'Grayswood' forms a small bush, 1.5m (5ft) high and 1.2m (4ft) wide, with dark green and dentate leaves. The sterile flowers emerge white before turning pale-pink, contrasting with the fertile buds at the centre of the flat inflorescence, 15cm (6in) in diameter. At the end of summer, the whole flower turns crimson. It blooms on the current year's wood. The colour of the flowers varies depending on the nature of the soil and the presence or absence of aluminium sulphate.

Hydrangea serrata is native to the mountains from the Kuril Islands to Taiwan and from southern China to eastern Japan. It thrives in mountainous climates. Hardy up to -15°C (5°F), 'Grayswood' thrives in well-drained, acidic or neutral soil, neither heavy nor wet. Plant in in partial shade or in the sun but without the hot midday hours that could burn the flowering.

It is perfect for a shrub border, as a standalone, or in a large container. Consider hydrangeas for composing spectacular flowering hedges. Combine them with other plants from non-limestone humiferous soil: pieris, azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and hardy fuchsias. Paulownia tomentosa is an ideal companion as its turgid roots feed those of other bushes planted in the understorey.